50 Outdoor Games to DIY This Summer

Summer days are perfect for little-to-no-skill-needed lawn games with family and friends in the backyard. Most of these games are easy and inexpensive to make and they all would make great party games for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for an old classic, entertainment for your outdoor wedding or fun activities to get your kids out of the house, we’ve got 50 of the best summer games for the young and young at heart.

1. Lawn Scrabble: Get the kids off their phones and playing a real life version of Words With Friends! All you need is some cardboard and markers to make a Scrabble board that spans the whole yard! (via Constantly Lovestruck)

3. DIY Twister: Forget that flimsy plastic sheet, grab a circle template and make your own game right on the lawn! You could even paint two or three boards and have teams compete against each other to get everyone involved. (via You + Me)

4. Make a Tree Swing: Nothing brings back more summer memories than a wooden swing hanging under a tree. If you have little ones or are a kid at heart, don’t spend another day without this summer essential. (via A Beautiful Mess)

5. Pastel Horseshoes: Update classic yard games like horseshoes or croquet with color blocks of pastel spray paint for some chic fun in the sun! (via Design Love Fest)

6. Backyard Kerplunk Game: The goal is to get out the sticks without any balls falling out. Children and adults will have a blast challenging each other with this. (via All Parenting)

7. DIY Lawn Matching Game: This game is perfect for the backyard, picnics, even beach trips, and it’s made with cork tiles, so it’s totally reusable. The tutorial includes printables, making it your easiest project of the entire season. (via Studio DIY)

8. DIY Ring Toss: The colors are all customizable, it costs next to nothing to make and is endless amusement for the whole family. (via And We Play)

11. Colorful Ping Pong Table: You don’t have to wait until the 4th of July to play on this uber patriotic table! If you’re not confident in your ability to paint straight lines, you could go a different route with some neon color blocking. (via Mr. Kate)

14. Giant Colorblocked Jenga: This project is pretty inexpensive and could make a really cute gift to a family or friend who loves outdoor games. Bring it to your next barbecue or picnic. (via A Beautiful Mess)

15. Sponge Water Bombs: Water balloons are great, but they are a pain to make and no one likes picking up those little pieces of rubber after the big fight. Try these awesome sponge water “bombs” instead for reusable ammunition they can use all summer long! (via The Chic Site)

16. Football Practice: Perfect for the budding athlete or just for a fun challenge to see who can get the most points. (via Spoonfull)

18. Gnome Bowling: These adorable gnomes are made out soda bottles! Don’t worry, there is a downloadable template so your little gnome pins can be as fun as these. (via Make)

19. Open Air Art: Pull some inspiration from the Impressionist era and get the kids out doing some nature “painting” with a huge chalkboard you could mount on the fence. Every time it rains, you’ll have a clean canvas! (via Project Denneler)

20. Obstacle Course Party: Obstacle course challenges are pure fun and energy, and they can be set up easily on your lawn or at a local park using items found around the house. (via Martha Stewart)

22. Pool Noodle Games: Homemade noodle rings can be used for a ton of fun games like human ring toss, an obstacle course, a soccer goal or javelin. (via Parents)

23. DIY Water Blob: A water blob is a large piece of plastic sheeting that is taped shut and then filled with water. It’s the perfect activity for hot summer days for all ages, especially the toddler years since it is totally safe. You could also add confetti or small gummy items like worms or fish for a theme party or turn on the sprinkler for a DIY slip-and-slide. (via The Clumsy Crafter)

24. Balloon Dart Board: Either fill your balloons with water and make different colors worth different point values or, if you’re in a messy creative mood, fill each balloon with paint and make a piece of art this summer! (via My Good Morning)

36. Picnic Blanket Game Board: Here is a really easy idea for a picnic blanket game board that has a built-in chess and checker board. Now you can play one of our favorite games outdoors, without worrying about the pieces blowing away or getting the board set up on an uneven surface. (via Nellie Bellie)

38. DIY Ladder Ball: Made out of PVC pipe, this should only cost you about $30 to make and is sturdy enough to endure a whole summer of exciting competitions. (via Home Depot)

39. Pipe Ball: Similar to cornhole, this pipe ball game is a bit more challenging! Catch the unforgiving angled rim of one of the pipes and you’re off to the bushes to find where the ball bounced. (via This Old House)

40. Travel Checkerboard: Heading on a road trip this summer? Follow our tutorial for how to turn lovely wooden checkers and chess sets into full-size travel games with VELCRO so you don’t lose a single piece en route! (via Brit + Co.)

43. Bobbing For Donuts: Get some string, hang some donuts from a low branch and have the kids try and eat the donuts off the string without using their hands. It’s tougher than you’d think which makes for tons of laughter. (via The Chic Site)

44. DIY Giant Dice Game: This game of chance isn’t over until the last dice have been tossed. This is an easy-to-learn game that is perfect to have on hand during barbecues and pool parties. (via DIY Showoff)

49. On Target: Similar to lawn darts but without that element of death, these sand-filled bags are thrown into rings kind of like horseshoes, but safer for tiny players. (via Spoonful)

50. DIY Cloth Picnic Games: We love the idea of a game board that you can fold up and tuck into your picnic basket for any summer adventure! And if you don’t yet know how to play Squares, you can learn that in here, too. (via Say Yes)

Will you be playing any of these games this summer? Let us know in the comments below!